Interest in net-zero energy homes is bringing prices in line with equivalent new homes and is behind a surge in home renovations.
Published Jun 06, 2025 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 4 minute read
Carbon Busters is showcasing a home on Edmonton’s Eco Solar Tour, running June 7 and 8. Photo by Supplied /Postmedia Energy efficiency. Net zero. Sustainability.
If those terms interest you, leave you with questions in terms of your home or even possibly have you a bit perplexed, Edmonton’s annual Eco Solar Tour could provide the answers you’re looking for.
“Whether you are looking at a new home or planning on renovating your existing home, there are many ways to accomplish energy savings,” said Andrew Mills, Eco Solar Tour Society president. “Homeowners and builders on our tour host private homes that you normally would not be able to see so that you can see the latest energy saving techniques. Our goal is to show everyone that net-zero energy (a home that generates as much energy as it consumes in a year) and energy-efficient homes are both possible and practical.”
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Further, building a net-zero energy home is now affordable.
“We are seeing new net-zero energy homes that are priced the same, or at only slightly higher, than equivalent new homes,” said Mills. “We are also seeing a surge in home renovations to achieve net-zero energy. On this year’s Eco-Solar Home Tour there are 13 homes where the homeowners are demonstrating their net-zero energy renovations.”
Then, there’s likely the clincher for those who may only have cursory knowledge of the intricacies of going green when it comes to your home: it’s possible to reduce your gas and electricity to bills to $0/year.
“We all complain that our utility bills are too high,” added Mills. “The cost of gas and electricity always seems to be rising with no end in sight. Most people will grumble but they don’t realise that they could have a home that would protect them from higher energy rates.”
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For this year’s edition, being held Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 in Edmonton — a Calgary tour will be held Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 — there are 18 sites to see in the greater Edmonton area, with about nine open each day.
This Queen Alexandra home focuses on long-term needs (aging in place) and includes an elevator and rooftop patio while using 42 per cent less energy than a home built to code. It is on Edmonton’s Eco Solar Tour, running June 7 and 8. Photo by Supplied /Postmedia Blatchford Focus With Blatchford being one of Edmonton’s key sustainable and green neighbourhoods, it makes sense to put a bit of a spotlight on it, said Mills. Sites 5, 6 and 7 — sites 5 and 6 are only on the first day of the tour — highlight what the former municipal airport site is being transformed into.
Site 5, Blatchford’s District Energy Sharing System — now entering its sixth year of delivering renewable energy to homes — provides the energy for hot water, heating and cooling to homes. At full Blatchford buildout of this system, it’s anticipated to be one of the largest ambient systems in Canada with a masterplan of 14 million square feet of connected buildings.
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Site 6, built by Carbon Busters, is one of the first net-zero energy homes to be developed in Blatchford with an insulated foam basement — as opposed to concrete. Carbon Busters is also one of the initial Blatchford builders and is looking to possibly increase its footprint from the initial seven townhomes, two of which include garden suites. Carbon Busters said its homes meet the goals of anyone interested in reducing their carbon footprint and impacts, and who want to walk lightly on the planet.
Site 7, unlike Site 6, which is connected to the district energy system, takes a different approach to net zero, said Micah Dueck, director sales and marketing for Landmark Homes. Landmark’s homes are precision pre-built indoors at their factory and their Blatchford townhomes feature more than 20 solar panels, a 20 kWh Sonnen battery, a three-stage medical-grade air purification system, and a cold-climate air source heat pump among other energy associated items.
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Meanwhile, Blatchford itself is currently preparing the next land parcels for homebuilders — that will cover 19 acres, including park space, and see 195 more homes built. So far, approximately 49 per cent of Blatchford’s developable land has been constructed, is under construction or in the planning and development stage. Construction of a new park is set to start this year.
Tour Choices The 2025 edition of this self-guided tour includes homes in Leduc and Sturgeon County, in addition to the city proper.
The 18 sites include a variety of net-zero options, retrofits and upgrades to older homes in established neighbourhoods. A Windsor Park home is undergoing a deep energy retrofit, adding two additional suites to increase density and will incorporate geothermal heat pumps. A Queen Alexandra home focuses on long-term needs (aging in place) and includes an elevator and rooftop patio while using 42 per cent less energy than a home built to code.
Now Showing To take part in the 2025 Edmonton Eco Solar Tour, head to the ecosolar.ca website to find out about the homes/sites and select the ones to visit. The tour, Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, is a free event. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. but there are exceptions.
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https://edmontonjournal.com/life/homes/discover-whats-possible-practical-for-homes-on-the-eco-solar-tour
